The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-05-05
MODERN DICK TuRPlNs.

Southern Pacific Train Attacked by
Road Agents s-The Express and Mail
. Cars Robbed of Over e5, 5,OOO-Trainmen
Compelled to Assist the Thieves Under
Threats Of Being Blown Up by Dyna-
mite-Heavy Rewards offered.
TUCSON, A. T., April go The west bound
overland express on the Southern Pacific
road, due here at 10:30 o'clock Wednesday
evening, was stopped and robbed near
Papago Station, eighteen miles east Of
here. about $3.50 o'clock The number of
men engaged in the robbery Is variously
estimated at from five to eight Colonel
Harper, the engineer, when approach
ing Papago, side station, was sig
nailed by red lantern to stop. He
slowed down, and as he approached the
light noticed obstructions on the track 30
placed that in case he failed to stop the
engine it would spread the track and de-
rail itself. Immediately on stopping q
dozen or more shots were fired into the ex-
press-car, and man with pistol in each
hand boarded the locomotive and
commanded Harper to get down.
The other robbers had in the mean
time been trying to pry open the express
car. Failing to get it open, they placed a
stick of giant powder under the car and
compelled Harper to light the fuse attached.
To avoid being blown up the m essenger
sion after extinguish hing the fuse. They
then uncoupled the engine and baggage and
express cars from the remainder of the
train and made Harper get on the engine
and pull ahead two lengths This being
done, Harper was again put OF and the
robbers took charge of the engine and
pulled six miles toward Tucson. Here they
killed che engine and left it
During the run the robbers went through
the mail and express cars, but did not get
more than g, 900. They got two packages
Of railroad money, one of 81, 210 and one of
$500, and also took two packages of postage
stamps going to the post-ofice at San
Francisco. 1t is reported that the express
messenger threw g, 500 in gold into thu
stove, and so saved it from the robbers.
Nothing was known here of the affair un-
til past midnight, when a telegram was re-
ceived from Pantano, a brakeman havin e
walked back eight miles to that place. A
special was sent down and the train
brought in at six in the morning. None of
the passengers were molested, and some of
them knew. nothing of the trouble until
after their arrival here.
Under Sheriff Shibell was early at the
scene of the robbery but could discover
nothing that would lead to the identity of
the robbers. Ten trailers under Deputy
r.
The robbers are believed to be discharged
railroad employees. Although they COM
PEELED Engineer Harper to show them how
to handle the locomotive it is believed from
their actions in handling the train that
they were familiar with such work
SAN FRANCISCO, April 29.-Immediately
upon the receipt OF the news of the rob-
berry of the Southern Pacific train near
Tucson General Manager Towne, of the
Southern Pacific, issued a circular Offering
reward of 81, ,OO0 each for the arrest and
conviction Of the robbers, which is in ad.
dition to a like reward offered by the
Wells, Fargo & Co. Express.
General Manager Towne says on the
strength of information received by him
that the robbers obtained 5000 from
Wells, Fargo & Co. They left the eng.
neer and fireman standing beside the track
The engineer and fireman followed them
and took the locomotive and cars back to
the train and proceeded westward. Nc
one was injured. Other reports received
here in dispatches to Wells, Fargo & Co.
say that the train was held up three miles
east Of Papago in a cut and that the mail
was robbed as well as the express.
Colonel Wilder, superintendent of mai
service, said yesterday afternoon he had
just received dispatch from Mr.. True
mail agent on the route between Los
Angeles and Deming, concerning the rob
berry, Mail and express agents were giver
just one minute and half to get out, un
der threats of being blown up with SO,
pounds of dynamite, and they at once got
out The express messenger saved S, 0ol
from the robbers by hastily hiding it. The
extent of the mail robbery Colonel Wilder
did not know